Stringing it together

Siddharth Mohan is 25 - he looks 20. Well, you know those typical long-mane musician looks! But behind those callow young looks lies a man possessed by music. Since childhood, this talented young composer-singer-musician has been performing in various concerts all over the world. Blessed with a spiritual outlook towards his music, he has already carved a niche for himself in Indian popular music.

Soft-spoken yet confident, Siddharth shares his musical journey. Here are the excerpts of the interview.

How did your musical journey begin?

It was my mother who first encouraged me to learn to sing. Then, at the age of eight, I attended an ‘Art Of Living' session with her and at that time Sri Sri Ravishankar asked me to sing before a gathering. That was my first musical performance. Over the years, I kept doing musical shows over weekends, even while completing my education. I went on to become an engineer and began working for a multi-national company. But I always felt that I was not doing what I really wanted to do. I was not doing full justice to music. It was my mentor Sri Sri Ravishankar who advised me to take up music as a full-time profession.

So what was your family's reaction?

My father, who has been working as an engineer in Abu Dhabi and my mother, with whom I grew up in Delhi - have encouraged and supported me throughout my life. The decision to quit my engineering job to take up full-time music was a difficult one but with my parents' unwavering support, I was able to take that decision.

What is your musical philosophy?

I want to spread happiness through my music. I have performed all over the world in various venues - in auditoriums, malls and college halls. I have seen that music does change people. I have seen that what comes from the heart touches other hearts. Music helps me connect with people. In a small way, it helps me to bring positive energy into their lives.

What were your musical influences?

I have been a great admirer of Sufi music because it believes that the greatest, purest form of love is the love for the divine. Singers like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Kailash Kher have played an important role in popularising Sufi music in contemporary audiences and they all have influenced my music in one way or another.

Tell us about your music albums.

My first two albums - Shivansh and Nithya - are devotional albums. They were received very warmly but I realised that to reach a broader audience, I would need a different genre of music. Since Sufi music happens to be my passion, I decided that I would sing Sufi numbers for my latest album - Sufi Strings. These new songs have already been receiving a lot of coverage on FM stations.

What do you feel about Bollywood music?

Well, they are creating that kind of music because people want to listen to it. But I sincerely feel that every musician has to think of his social responsibility before creating his music. There is no use in just running after fame and money!

Factfile

■ A young accomplished composer-singer-musician.

■ A self-taught guitarist.

■ An active member of the Art Of Living Foundation.

■ Recently chosen as a Youth Icon in Russia.

■ Has three albums to his credit - Shivansh (2006), Nithya (2008) and Sufi Strings (2010).